10 Ways to Effectively Store Your Holiday Decorations

Now that the busy and exciting holiday season is over, it is time to organize and store your precious holiday decorations once again. While it was fun to decorate for the joyful season, removing the many items can be time-consuming. When you consider your collection has probably grown over the years with numerous displays of your favorite holiday ornaments, trinkets, and novelties, it can even be stressful. Not to mention, the after-season sales you spent hours perusing for all of the must have items you added to your collection for the next holiday season.

To effectively store holiday decorations after the holiday season, a designated area in your home is needed. Often times, this location may change, depending on the amount of holiday decorations you’ve accumulated over the years, specific theme sets you’ve collected, as well as new purchases. A few suggestions on storage location include garages, closets, attics, or an outdoor storage shed. Any of these locations will work fine if you label and seal your containers properly.

1. When setting up your decorations and deciding where to place and arrange each item, you should be sure to keep the original containers, boxes, and packaging materials. This will not only make it easier for storage, but also save time. Place these containers in the location where you plan to store your decorations when you remove them after the holiday season.
2. To store fragile holiday items, proper packaging is necessary. Glass ornaments, novelties, and figurines should be stored in their original container if possible. Original containers can then be placed inside storage bins or boxes for added security.
3. Different sized boxes, bins, chests, and crates work well for both small, large or awkward sized holiday decorative items that need securing to avoid damage. Use clear bins or containers for easy access, and to keep your items secure and in good shape. They are also a cost-effective way to store holiday decorations and last a long time.
4. After sorting your many ornaments, you now need to store them securely. An ornament chest or bin is a good way to store sentimental, fragile, or glass items. They include various stackable sections that safely secure each ornament with different types of closures and sizes to fit a variety of shapes.
5. When storing items that require dismantling such as trees, wreathes, and larger displays such as nativity scenes, they should also be stored in their original packaging. It is best to follow the original packaging arrangement to avoid losing parts or breakage. You may also consider purchasing storage units specifically designed for larger items.
6. Wrapping paper, boxes, ribbons, and other supplies are the easiest items to store. They can also be placed in a clear plastic bin for easy viewing or in a labeled container. The bin should be able to seal the items so that air and moisture does not get trapped inside possibly ruining any of the fragile paper items. There are bins made specifically for wrapping gift supplies that can easily be stored in a closet or under a bed.
7. If you have access to a garage, storing your holiday decorations is quite simple. Using garage shelves is one of the most popular ways to store items because of you can easily adjust them at any time. They can be extended to add length, height, or more shelves any time without taking up extra space. Empty holiday containers, boxes, bins or crates can also be stored out of the way in the garage until it is time to use them.
8. Garlands and wreathes are a little challenging to store because of their shape and awkward sizing. They can placed in plastic containers or hung in the garage or a closet with protective covering. There are also specifically designed round or square shaped boxes and cases available that can be used to help keep your items damage and dust free.
9. Holiday lights are very fragile and prone to damage if not stored with care. To keep them tangle free and easily to unravel for the next use, be sure to store each light set separately. You want to wind the lights carefully around a reel, then place them inside individual plastic bags. Placing them in a bin with no other items is the best way to organize your holiday lights. Partitioned boxes, an ornament chest, or even moving boxes used for glassware can be used to store holiday lights.
10. Labeling each item for better visibility will save time when setting up and storing your holiday decorations. If you have items that you use to display specific arrangements, labeling is the best way to easily locate them each year when you prepare to decorate. A permanent marker is best for labeling because you avoid fading and bleeding ink which could possibly cause damage.Organizing your holiday decorations does not have to be a dreaded task if you implement time saving organizational tips. The goal is to avoid stress and frustration after the busy holiday season, so it’s best to strategize and plan accordingly. You can effectively store your holiday decorations to ensure they are properly boxed, bagged, sealed, and ready for display every year with ease. Remember, chose your storage location, appropriate containers, and create an easy to follow plan that saves you time and eliminates unnecessary hassles.

About the Author: Hayden Stewart is a contributing author and media specialist for HomeTeam Inspection Services. He regularly produces content for a variety of lifestyle and home blogs, based around the obstacles that come home and property ownership.

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